Seeing Redskin Red...

OK, it’s time for me to vent.

Daniel Snyder is the worst owner in NFL history. Even worse than Al Davis. I say this as a long-time Redskins fan.

I miss Jack Kent Cooke. During Snyder’s reign of terror, he’s had six coaches. SIX coaches since 1999! ((pictured right, courtesy of the Four Letter))

Let’s count ‘em:
1. Norv Turner (2 yrs under Snyder)
2. Terry Robiskie (1 yr)
3. Marty Schottenheimer (1 yr)
4. Steve Spurrier (2 yrs)
5. Joe Gibbs (4 yrs)
6. Jim Zorn (2 yrs)

Will Mike Shanahan be lucky number 7?

Nothing will change until Snyder sells the Redskins. The Redskins will NEVER be successful with Richie Rich owning the team. I remember one season in the early 2000s where he signed and fired something like 8 kickers in one season. Exaggeration, I know…but come on! This is NOT fantasy football!

Finishing dead last in the NFC East is NOT Redskin football.

Was this season’s debacle all Zorn’s fault? Nope. Losing to the Detroit Lions? Despicable.

Shaun Suisham missing a chip shot FG to beat the Saints? Story of this season.

There’s a reason people call them the Deadskins.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the ‘Skins. I’ve been threatening to jump off of the DC wagon for years now, but my love of the burgundy and gold keeps pulling me back.

I hate losing to Dallas, Philadelphia, and New York. I hate that Jason Campbell has had to learn four different offensive schemes in four years.

One of my friends compared Washington’s draft over the last five years to New England and Indianapolis. The Skins drafted one offensive lineman, and the Pats/Colts drafted ten. You could put Johnny Unitas and Walter Payton behind a crappy O-Line, and they won’t do squat.

We spent millions of dollars on oft-injured Albert Haynesworth. For some reason, we brought back Fred Smoot – the ONLY player that makes Deion Sanders look like Ronnie Lott. Not to mention his Minnesota “Love Boat” shenanigans.

Long story short, this is not the Washington players’ fault. They’re doing the best they can with what they have. When you have a weekend warrior running the team into the ground, what else can you do?

Hail to the Redskins…maybe someday I can say “Hail victory” again…

I’m not usually this deep, just deep in it…

Allen: Last Place Is No Place For Redskins Football

((HT: WTTG/MyFoxDC))

The HQ hates to break it to new GM Bruce Allen, but you're gonna stay there until your boss gets out of the way once and for all...

As Brother J-Dub will attest, on behalf of all Skins fans, meddling doesn't equal any level of success... and never will...

That's just how it is...
Considering your boss is in charge of the Six Flags empire- ask him how well that's going these days...

You'll have a QB who will have another Offensive Coordinator to learn a new system from- for the seventh year in a row. You paid top dollar for a defensive end who started complaining at the end of the year that the team was out to get him.

And you hired a coordinator to be a head coach when he, clearly, wasn't ready to be one...

That should tell you where you're headed...

Although, we'll admit that Bruce Allen was a good start toward a new beginning...
Here's his first time facing the music...


Nothing like firing someone at 4 in the morning...

Jim Zorn, You're Fired

****BREAKING NEWS****

In what was a surprise to pretty much nobody who follows NFL Football, the Washington Redskins made it official this morning and fired Head Coach Jim Zorn. Zorn, who finished his time in Washington with a 12-20 record, including a 4 win season this year, seemed to be doomed from his start with owner Dan Snyder.

((Jim Zorn walks//Courtesy: Jonathan Newton/Washington Post))

The story from the Washington Post RIGHT

HERE

There will be an "Official Press Conference" with new General Manager Bruce Allen at 12:30 to make the announcement. Most within football expect the list of potential replacements to start...and probably finish with former Denver Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan who would be the 7th Head Coach for the Deadskins since Dan Snyder bought the team in 1999.

Chick Hernandez of CSNWashington caught up Redskins offensive coordinator Sherman Smith Monday morning for his reaction. (Thanks CSNWashington)

Here's a look back at the bizarre Jim Zorn era in D.C. from CSNWashington.

Zorn's Postgame Reaction: "Really...???"

((HT: CSN Washington))

It shows up at, about the 1:15 mark...
A reporter asks about the "elephant in the room..."


Zorn has proven himself to be either a perpetual optimist or a coach who believes in blinders as the best approach to a firestorm...

He won't be unemployed for long...
But he'll be back as a "two," not a "one..."

Sunday Tackle-Football-For-Pay Carousel

Two moves...

Multiple sources are letting all of us know that Jim Zorn is out as the head coach of the Washington Redskins on Monday...

Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post has found out, through the Fritz Pollard Alliance, that Jerry Gray has even interviewed for a non-vacant vacancy.

CSNWashington's Kelli Johnson asked Jerry Gray about that very topic on the Redskins' postgame show Sunday...



And Bill Cowher had, what the four-letter is terming, a "stealth" meeting with the front office of the Buffalo Bills as early as last week to "gauge interest" in the opening that Perry Fewell has for another five hours or so...

WGR Radio has all your updates in their "Quest For A Coach" section...

More when we know more...

With New G.M. Watching, Redskins Fail To Impress New Boss

As a Dallas Cowboys fan I always like to kick to Washington Redskins when they are down but I do have limits to that dislike. That was reached Monday night when the Redskins were embarrassed by the New York Giants 45-12. The 'Skins looked inept and at the end of the 1st half, down right comical.

Let Redskin head coach Jim Zorn describe this travesty. Thanks CSN Washington.

Don't worry Redskin fans, I get the feeling Zorn will get his pink slip soon. Maybe Zorn just waved the white flag. The boys at the Redskins post game, Brian Mitchell, Trevor Matich and Antonio Freeman ask did the team give up.

Then the boys rub more salt in the Redskins wound.

Those of us at the OSG HQ (except J-Dub) saw a really bad football team Monday night. Bruce Allen has much work to do for the Redskins to be relevant again. Not a good way to impress your new boss.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

Zorn Gets "Vote Of Confidence," World Continues Rotating

((HT: WTTG-TV/Myfoxdc))

The front office says Jim Zorn will remain Washington Redskins coach "for the rest of this season and hopefully into the future."

Executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato gave Zorn the vote of confidence on a radio show on ESPN980 Friday morning.

Speculation has been rampant about Zorn's future following the Redskins' 2-4 start. Zorn was stripped of his play-calling duties this week.

Cerrato said the front office is "very frustrated" with the team's performance this season and that the play-caller change was a way to help relieve Zorn of his many duties.

Cerrato said he hopes his remarks will make things "totally crystal clear" about Zorn'

Yeah, Vinny... everything is still crystal clear to those of us at OSG HQ...
Zorn's ass is still out the door at the end of the year, but yours is still in place...

Dead Man Walking: Zorn Surrenders Play-Calling

To the consultant hired only two weeks ago from his drive to the Bingo hall...

Washington Redskins coach Zorn announced Monday that the front office "strongly suggested" that he yield his play-calling duties to a consultant hired only two weeks ago. While he didn't say he was given an ultimatum, Zorn said he would comply with the request "because I want to stay here and win."

"Sometimes we have to do things that are uncomfortable," Zorn said.

Yeah, like coach under Daniel Snyder...

Zorn received the news in a meeting with front office chief Vinny Cerrato.

Receiver Antwaan Randle El called the move to Lewis "a little weird."

"Some guys weren't even kind of sure who he was," Randle El said. "But that's just because they didn't get around and try to talk to him. But again it just kind of goes back to shaking things up."

Here's the Zorn presser at the Park...
((HT: Myfoxdc/WTTG-TV))


Those of us at OSG HQ feel for the guy. We always enjoyed his work as a QB in Seattle, and his offensive play-calling worked as a coordinator.

But, then, you become coach after only two weeks as the OC and you now see how difficult it is to work for and with Snyder and Cerrato... It's only a matter of time before Zorn is let go- and he gets to reclaim his life and successes off the field.

Somewhere else...

Joe Gibbs Racing Wins (?) One...

JGR wanted NASCAR to look at the penalties assessed for placing magnetic spacers under the gas pedals a while back in order to mess with the dyno testing after the Michigan race. JGR drivers Joey Logano ((pictured, thanks nascar.com)) and Tony Stewart caught all sorts of holy hell over this one...

JGR appealed their probations and involvement...
The appeal process is o-vuh...
The end ruling from NASCAR... ahem... quote...

"...On September 3, 2008, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Joe Gibbs Racing. The appeal concerned two penalties issued by NASCAR to drivers Tony Stewart and Joey Logano.

Briefly, the penalties concern Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing,” Section 8-9 Competitive Analysis – From time to time, NASCAR may determine, in the interest of competition that it is necessary or appropriate to undertake an analysis of the performance capabilities of a car, car part, component or equipment. The Competitor shall take whatever steps are requested by NASCAR Officials for this purpose. NASCAR also has the right to seal or impound cars, car parts, components and/or equipment for this purpose. NASCAR is not responsible for payment, reimbursement, damage or loss to the Competitor as a result of such analysis, sealing or impounding,” Section 12-4-Q (1) “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that a car, car component, engine, engine component, or any other part or related equipment used in the Event does not conform to NASCAR Rules, detailed in Section 20A of the Rule Book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the Event, or is not required for the normal functional operation of the race car, or has been altered to detract from or compromise its integrity or effectiveness, whether operational or not,” and Section 12-4-K “When NASCAR Officials mandate inspection during the Event, if any car, car parts, components, and/or equipment which have been used in the Event are taken from the racing premises without permission of a NASCAR Official, or are tampered with by any member of the team or anyone associated with the team: Magnetic spacer attached under the gas pedal with the intent of compromising the chassis dyno test.

This stemmed from post-race inspection for a NASCAR Nationwide Series Event held at Michigan International Speedway on August 16, 2008.

The penalties assessed against each driver were:

-a loss of 150 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Driver points, and probation until Dec 31, 2008.

Records indicate that others, including the car owners, crew chiefs and team members also received penalties for these same infractions. However, the Appellants specifically requested that the Commission review the probation portion of the driver penalties only. The Appellants also requested and were granted a deferral of the driver probation portions of the penalties until this hearing could be convened.

After reviewing the testimony presented during the hearing, the National Stock Car Racing Commission unanimously decided to amend the penalties assessed by NASCAR, removing the probation portions of both driver penalties, while leaving the Championship Driver points portions intact."

Buddy Baker
Jim Williams
George Silbermann, Chairman

Short version: Logano and Stewart are no longer probies in the Nationwide Series. Everyone else is still in trouble...

Carry on...

Redskins Sign QB Brennan

Finally, the mighty Colt Brennan is officially a Redskin.

According to John Clayton, Brennan signed a four-year, $1.8M contract, and was cleared to take part in Redskins camp. After the former Hawai'i QB's hip surgery, it was much speculated that he would begin the season on the PUP list. Now, he has a good chance to challenge Todd Collins for the #2 QB behind Jason Campbell.

Brennan, the third pick in the sixth round of this year's NFL Draft, is in a perfect place to develop his gunslinging skills. New 'Skin head coach Jim Zorn is a long-time QB coach, and there is no pressure to start immediately. Granted, Brennan's Rainbow Warriors got demolished by then #5 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl 41-10, so many doubt his ability against tough teams.

I'm willing to give him a chance. Remember, this is the same franchise that sold the farm to sign Heath Shuler.

--John V. Wood

Washington's Jim Zorn - Is He The One?

OK, OK...

I have yet to open my burgundy-and-gold lined mouth about new Redskin head coach Jim Zorn. Nelly and Brother Phil went through a spell where they would call my cellphone and say, “Jim Zorn!” They tormented me for weeks. For the longest time, I told myself I was finished with Washington. Washed my hands of the Hogs. I was a free agent fan in search of a new team, because the “Deadskins” had disappointed me for the last time. That was, until I did I little research…and soul searching...

Hail to the Zornskins…

OK, Jim Zorn wasn’t anywhere on my radar when Richie Rich was on the market for a Joe Gibbs replacement. I was sure it would be Gregg Williams – fan favorite, player favorite, defensive mastermind.

Nope. Gregg, enjoy your pinkslip.

Jim freaking Zorn?

I’m still amazed that Vinny Cerrato and Dan Snyder even considered this guy. An ex-QB who had the pleasure to toss the pigskin to Steve Largent in Seattle. Whoop-de-doo. Zorn has bounced around from team to team, from college pro – with as little fanfare as getting an average burger and fries from Jocks and Jill’s for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon.

The ‘Skins have had nothing BUT fanfare the last few seasons, after Norv Turner left. Turner wasn’t exactly the excitement capitol of the NFL. I mean, Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spurrier, Gibbs...Deion Sanders...Al Saunders and Gregg Williams...us ‘Skins fans have gotten used to the hype outweighing the performance.

The emotional long-time Hoggette in me is saying, “Death to the Redskins, enjoy mediocrity.” The rational side to me, however, is telling me to give the guy a chance. You still have Clinton Portis, Jason Campbell, and Santana Moss. Don’t forget Chris Cooley.

I’m having an internal Bay of Pigs. Do I become a hypocrite and back down on my anti-Zorn stance? Do I pull for, say, the Carolina Panthers and cry as the ‘Skins make it to the playoffs?

We Have a History...

I’ve pulled for the ‘Skins since 1978. I’ve met Mark Rypien and the "Diesel" John Riggins. I actually covered a high school football game at Rypien’s old high school – Shadle Park High in Spokane, WA. I’ve seen four Cowboy/Redskin games at RFK Stadium. I saw the ‘Skins play the Falcons in Atlanta when James Brown was the halftime entertainment. I’ve seen ‘Skins games in seven different states. I hate the Eagles, Giants, and Cowboys with a passion. Can I be anything BUT a ‘Skins fan?

I’m hurt. Honestly hurt. As a fan, I am tired of being dead last in the NFC East. I’m tired to losing to NYG, DAL, and PHI on a regular basis. Maybe I’m just a petulant little child, bemoaning the fact my idol – Joe Gibbs – is no longer the coach of the Redskins (again).

I’ve touched his bust in the NFL Hall of Fame for crying out loud.

While I’ve talked big and bad about ditching DC, I honestly don’t think I can. The draft this year wasn’t spectacular, but at least it was solid. Campbell could benefit from Zorn’s “I’m not gonna piss anyone off, and I’m going to do everything by the book no matter what” approach. I’m sure Jason could benefit from being coached up a bit – God knows he has the talent already.

Maybe a little less talk will allow for a lot more action. We can hope, right?

One...Last...Chance...

I have one last chance in me...

Zorn – I’m publicly calling you out. I give you one season. ONE season. One chance to earn the respect of this longtime ‘Skins fan.

How do you do that, you ask?

Beat the absolute crap out of Dallas twice, win the NFC East, and bring home a Super Bowl ring. If you do that, you’re golden. Burgundy-and-gold for life.

No pressure.

I’m not usually this deep, just deep in it. Trust me.

--John Wood